Manufacture of elements for slide fasteners



Nov. 10, 1936. u c 2,060,141

MANUFACTURE OF ELEMENTS FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed April 12, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS Nov. 10, 1936. F. ULRICH A MANUFACTURE OF ELEMENTS FOR SLIDE FASTENERS 4 Sheets-Sheet -2 Filed April 12, 1934 lNVENfQR Frederick Ulrich BY Z i 2 ATTORNEYS Nov. 10, 1936. F. ULRICH 2,060,141

MANUFACTURE OF ELEMENTS FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed April 12, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I44 INVENTOR Nov. 10, 1933. F. ULRICH MANUFACTURE OF ELEMENTS FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed April 12, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Frederick Ulrich zal A'ITORNEYS Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES MANUFAOTERE OF ELEMENTS FOR FASTENERS some Frederick Ulrich, New York, N. Y., assignor, by

meme assignments, to Conmar Products Corporation, New New York York, N. Y., a corporation of Application April 12, 1934, Serial No. 720.232

18 Claims.

' This invention relates to slide fasteners, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for manufacturing the interlocking elements of such fasteners.

The primary and general object of my invention resides in the provision of an improved method and improved apparatus for forming the interlocking elements for slide fasteners, said elements being of the conventional type having interlocking means at one end and spaced jaws at the other end for clamping the element upon the beaded edge of a suitable tape. A more particular object of my invention is to minimize manufacturing cost by utilizing a simple slender strip or r conventional wire stock for raw material, saidwire being uniform and regular in section. The elements are formed longitudinally of the wire, that is, in end to end relation, and the wire is preferably selected with a cross-section approximately equal to the transverse cross-sectional area of the fastener elements. A more particular object is to make possible the use of ordinary round wire, that is, wire of standard circular cross-section, thereby reducing the cost of the raw material to a minimum and resulting in certain further advantages which will be brought out in the following specification.

Still another object of my invention is to greatly increase the convenience and ease of handling the embryo fastener elements during the various operations needed to form the same, and with this object in view I form the elements in pairs arranged head to head, thus providing twin units which are perfectly symmetrical and the jaw portions of which are at the ends of the unit.

This facilitates the operation of splitting the ends to form jaws, because the forces applied to the twin unit are opposed and in equilibrium. Likewise, the heads when treated as a pair form a symmetrical structure which is more readily swaged to shape, and the natural shape between the heads is such as to facilitate subsequent severance or separation of the elements making up the twin unit. Moreover, the twin unit, because of its size and symmetry, is especially easy to control and move from station to station in the apparatus, in contrast with thedifhculty of handling a single element.

Other objects of my invention reside in the provision of appropriate automatic apparatus for manufacturing the elements in accordance with the foregoing principles and which will include means for accommodating elongation of the bar or wire during the swaging operation and before severing the units therefrom; which will positively hold and feed the units from station to station by means of an intermittently rotated or indexed dial cooperating with a stationary die table; as well as numerous additional objects which will be evident from the detailed description of the. apparatus.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the method and apparatus elements, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which: r

Fig. 1 is a section in elevation explanatory of the swaging and severing of twin embryo units from round wire stock;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the embryo twin unit;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the'same;

Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, side and bottom Views showing the splitting of the jaw portions of the twin unit;

Figs. 6 and '7 are, respectively, side and bottom views showing the spreading of the jaw portions of the twin unit;

Figs. 8 and 9 are, respectively, side and bottom views showing the shaving to final form of the jaw portions of the twin unit;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing the embossing Fig. 11 is a side elevation illustrating the severing of the finished elements in the twin unit;

Fig. 12 is a section through a specially rolled wire or bar which may be used in my process;

Figs. 13 and 14 are, respectively, plan and elevational view showing a preliminary indenting step which may desirably be used when dealing with flat or flattened bar stock;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the die assembly of my apparatus;

Fig. 16 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 17 is a section taken in the plane of the line II,l'l of Fig. 15, and shows the mechanism for cutting the twin units from the wire;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the dial plate forming a part of the die assembly;

Fig. 19 is a section taken in the plane of the line |9-l9 of Fig. 18, and shows the splitting punch;

Fig. 20 is a section taken in the plane of the line, 20-20 of Fig. 18, and shows the jaw spreading mechanism;

Fig. 21 is a section taken in the' planeof the] line '2|--2l of Fig. 18, and shows the jaw shav ing punch;

' of the interlocking portions of the twin unit to Fig. 22 is a section taken in the plane of the line 22-22 of Fig. 18, and shows the mechanism for separating the finished elements of the twin unit;

Fig. 23 is a side elevation of a press suitable for my purposes;

Fig. 24 is a sectional elevation showing a.twostage swaging operation having certain advantages;

Fig. 25 is a plan view of round wire stock subjected to two swaging operations; and

Figs. 26 and 27 are vertical and horizontal sections showing modified punch mechanism for separating the finished elements of a twin unit swaged as illustrated in Figs. 24 and 25.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 11, the method of my invention may be outlined as follows. A continuous round wire of suitable material i2 is fed through a swaging die including a stationary die l4 and a vertically reciprocable swaging punch IS. The wire is generally flattened/at the top and bottom during this swaging operation, and is additionally provided with heads l8 and 20 and opposed recesses 22 and 24. The wire is also longitudinally incised at the top and bottom, as is indicated at 26 and 28. The wire is supported at opposite sides of the swaging die by lifting pads 30 and 32. These lifting pads are preferably closed above the wire, as is indicated at 34 and 36, in order to limit permissible upward movement of the wire. The lifting pads 30 and 32 are resiliently urged upwardly to the position shownin Fig. 1, thus lifting the swaged wire clear of the die l4 after the swaging operation. The enclosure of the wire at 34 and 36 prevents upward movement of the wire with the swaging punch l6 at the end of the swaging operation, and insures stripping of the wire from the swaging punch. Downward movement of the swaging punch i6 is preferably accompanied by downward movement of yieldable fingers 38 and 40 which press the pads 30 and 32 downwardly and insure seating of the wire on the stationary swaging die l4. The pad 32 is preferably cut away, as indicated at 42, so as not to obstruct movement of the head 20 through the pad.

At the end of each swaging operation, the wire I2 is moved ahead a distance approximately equal to the length of two fastener elements, thus bringing a. fresh section of wire into the swaging die and moving the previously swaged sections toward a cutting-off punch 44. A spring pad 46 is located beneath the cutting-off punch 44, and a stationary cutting blade 48 is inserted in and forms a part of the stationary member 50. It

will be understood that downward movement of punch 44 shears the section or twin unit T from the continuous wire. In passing, it may be menticned that the cutting-off punch 44 is preferably arranged to sever the unit T somewhat later than the swaging operation in the die I4, IS, in order to accommodate stretch or elongation of the material which takes place during the swaging operation.

The resulting section or twin unit T is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 which clearly illustrate the formation of the heads i8 and 20, the recesses 22 and 24, and the longitudinal incisions 26 and 28. The side indentations 52 should also be noted because these partially define the heads of the embryo interlocking elements and are obtained without a special indenting operation bymerely restraining the material to approximately the initial diameter of the wire.

The ends of the twin unit are next split, and this operation is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 in which it will be seen that the splitting punches 54 are forced downwardly through the incisions 26 and 28. The punches 54 are preferably acutely triangular in cross-section and beveled to a knife edge at the bottom ends, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5. A spring pad 56 is preferably arranged to descend with the splitting punches 54 in order to enter the'recesses and to accurately locate and firmly hold the twin unit during the splitting operation.

The twin unit is next subjected to a spreading operation in order to spread apart the jaws of the embryo elements, and this spreading operation is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The twin unit is supported between a spring pad 58 and a stationary table 60, while wedges 62 and 64 are moved in opposite directions into the split ends of the unit, thus bringing the jaws into desired divergent relation.

The inner walls of the jaws are then brought to a desired undercut shape by a shaving or trimming operation which is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. The twin unit is held between stationary die 66 and a spring pad and stripper 68, while shaving punches 10 are forced downwardly be tween the jaws. The shaving punches trim a small amount of metal from between the jaws, and leave the unit with the outline shown in Fig. 9. This outline is ideal for easy application to and secure mounting upon the conventional beaded tape.

The heads of the embryo elements may, if desired, be embossed to final accurate shape and dimension, and this operation is shown in Fig. 10 in which the twin unit is compressed between an embossing punch 12 and a stationary die 14. The punch 72 is accompanied and preceded by spring pins 76 which operate to support and steady the unit during the embossing operation and to strip the unit from the embossing punch when the punch is elevated. It will be noted that the embossing punch 72 helps shape the lips 78 of the elements and reduces to a minimum the metal connecting the heads of the elements.

The elements being otherwise completed, it is next necessary merely to separate the-same, and this is done by an appropriate separating punch illustrated in Fig. 11. One of the elements is supported between a stationary die 80 and a spring pad 82, while the other element is forced downwardly by a separating punch 84 cooperating with a spring pad 86. The spring pad 82 is, of course, preferably reciprocable with and arranged to precede the separating punch 84 during its downward stroke.

With this preliminary explanation of my invention, attention may next be turned to apparatus for automatically performing the above operations. It will already be apparent, however, that my method of forming the elements from a continuous wire having a cross-sectional area approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of the element is characterized by numerous advantages, in that the raw material is in a con- .ventional and economical form and is utilized without much waste. It will also be evident that manufacture of the elements in pairs arranged head to head, is advantageous because it is easier to handle the twin unit by reason of its size and symmetry; because the forces to which the unit is subjected are at all times inherently balanced, as during the swaging, splitting, and spreading operations; and becausethe shaping of the adjacent heads best utilizes the available metal and largely severs the elements.

Referring now to Fig. 23, I show a press P, suitable for practicing my invention. This press is provided with a bed 90 and a vertically reciprocable head 92 which is reciprocated by an appropriate eccentric mounted on drive shaft 94.

Between the bed 90 and head 92 there is placed a die assembly D. This die assembly includes an auxiliary shaft 96 geared in any desired manner, as through helical gears 98, intermediate shaft I00 and helical gears I02, to the main drive shaft 94. The die assembly D includes a punch plate I64 locked in reciprocable head 92 by an appropriate lock screw I06. I

In Figs. 15 and 16 I show the die assembly D in greater detail. The auxiliary shaft 96 and helical drive gear I02 therefor are clearly evident, as well as the vertically reciprocable punch plate I04 with its upstanding boss I05 adapted to be inserted in and locked to the press head 92 of Fig. 23. Punch plate I04 is guided by guide rods I08. The die assembly includes wire straightening means S, wire feed means F, and a nest of dies or punches for the various operations heretofore mentioned, said punches being located beneath ,the punch plate I04 and being for the most part, though not entirely, actuated directly thereby. The operations up to severing the twin unit from the wire are performed in alignment with the wire I2, while all succeeding operations upon the severed twin unit are performed about the periphery of a circle, the units being intermittently moved by a circular dial plate IIO, this dial plate being shown in greater detail in Fig. 18.

The wire straightening means S may be of any desired type, and in the present case comprises simply a series of suitably spaced rollers II2 mounted on vertical bearings, and a similar group of rollers II4 mounted on horizontal bearings. The wire I2 is drawn through the straightener and intermittently fed in measured increments by the feed means F. This feed means may be of conventional type and probably needs no further description than to say that the feed member H6 is reciprocated by a crank II8 through a connecting rod I 20, the crank I I8 being mounted at the forward end of a shaft I22 geared to auxiliary shaft 96 by helical gearing I24. The gripping or opening and closing of the feed element H6 is controlled by a' cam I26 mounted on shaft 96 and cooperating with a cam follower I28 mounted at the end of a lever I30, pivoted at I20, and bearing against the clamp mechanism of feed member I I6 through an anti-friction roller I31, to permit reciprocation of the feed member. The feed of wire I2 may be controlled for accurate amount and timing.

The wire I2 then passes through a swaging die generally indicated at I32. This swaging die corresponds to the die I4, I6 shown in Fig. 1, and is similarly accompanied by lifting and stripper pads, etc. The swaging punch I6 is mounted directly on punch plate I04 and is reciprocated thereby.

The cutting-off punch assembly is generally indicated at I34. It was already mentioned, in connection with Fig.1, that the cutting-off punch is preferably operated later than the swaging punch in order to accommodate elongation of the metal duringswaging, and for this reason the cutting-off punch assembly I34 is preferably operated independently from shaft 96, rather than from the main punch plate I04. To this end, shaft 96 is provided with an appropriate cam I36 cooperating with a cam follower I38 secured at one end of operating lever I40, the opposite end of which is connected to the cuttingoff punch 44. This mechanism is better shown in Fig. 17 which further brings out special detent mechanism on the spring pad 46 for better cooperation with the rotatable dial IIO. Pad 46 is normally elevated by spring I 42. After cutting a twin unit from the wire, it is desirable to prevent elevation of spring pad 46 above the stationary table, I44 in order not to interfere with the desired movement or indexing of the dial to the next station. For this purpose a reciprocable detent I46 is provided, this being operated through bell crank lever I48 by a cam I50 mounted on shaft 66. The cams I36 and I50 are so relatively timed that detent I46 is moved into holding engagement with pad 46 shortly after downward movement of cutting-off punch 44. The detent I46 limits the upward movement of pad 46 to bring the unit T level with table I44, thus permitting sliding of the unit on table I44 by dial IIO. When the table has been moved to its next position, the pad 46'is, of course, released and elevated for cooperation with cutting-off punch 44 during the next shearing operation.

The dial H0 is provided with a ratchet wheel I52 and is moved by a pawl I54 (Fig. 15) mounted on a pawl plate I56 pivoted at I58 and carrying a cam follower I60. cooperating with a cam I62 mounted on shaft 96. Return movement is prevented by suitable holding pawl I64. It will be manifest that for each revolution' of shaft 96, the dial plate is advanced or indexed to the next station. The punch plate I04 is preferably provided with a special locating or indexing punch I66 the sole function of which is to lock the dial plate in exact position during the punching operations.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 18, the splitting operation isv performed at the station I 10, the spreading operation at station I12, the shaving operation at station I14, the embossing operation at station I16, while the elements are separated at station I18 and discharged from the dial plate at station I80.

The mechanism at station I10 is shown in Fig. 19 in which it will be seen that the splitting punches 54 are fixedly mounted on punch plate I04.which further carries the spring pad 56 yield- .able against compression spring I82. The unit T rests upon the die table I44 and within one of the slots or compartments I84 (Fig. 18) of dial plate III). The table I44 is preferably provided with a circular groove I86 for receiving the heads of the unit T as the unit rests upon or is moved around the table.

The spreading mechanism of station I12 is shown in greater detail in Figs. 18 and 20. The wedge 62 is formed at one end of a plate I 90 having abiased camming' slot therein which cooperates with a sloping actuator or reciprocable cam I92, said cam being fixedly mounted on the punch plate I 04. The opposite wedge 64 is mounted at one end of a reciprocable bar I96 provided with an oppositely sloped cam slot cooperating with an oppositely sloping portion I98 of the actuator or cam bar. It will be evident that upon downward reciprocation of punch plate I04, the wedge 62 is moved to the right into one end of the unit T, while the wedge 64 is moved to the left into the opposite end of unit T. These forces counter- I balance, and it is merely necessary to hold the unit against upward movement. This is readily accomplished by the spring pad 58 yieldably mounted in punch plate I04.

The shaving or trimming mechanism at station I14 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 21. Punch plate I04 carries a pair of shaving punches I rigidly mounted thereon, and further carries the spring pad and stripper 68. The table I44 preferably has inserted therein the female die member 200 cooperating accurately with the shaving punches 10. The waste amount of material removed from the unit T is forced downwardly through the opening 202 in table I44.

The embossing mechanism at station I16 is not shown in detail, first, because the use of this mechanism is optional and may, if desired, be dispensed with; secondly, because the mechanism is anyway shown in Fig. and, thirdly, because it will be apparent that it is merely necessary to rigidly mount the embossing punch 12 and to yieldably mount the stripper pins 16 (see Fig. 10) on the punch plate I04.

The separating mechanism at station I18 is shown in Fig. 22 in which it will be seen that the separating punch 84 is rigidly mounted on punch plate I 04 and cooperates with spring pad 86 yieldably mounted in table I44. The downward movement of punch 84 is accompanied by spring pad 82 yieldably mounted in punch plate I04.

The discharge station I80 needs no detailed description, it including simply a trap or opening through table I44 and a mating pusher or finger on punch plate I04 to insure that the elements will fall through the opening into an appropriate receptacle placed therebeneath.

In Figs. 12, 13, and 14 I illustrate a modification of my invention in which the raw material used, instead of being a simple wire of circular cross-section, is a wire or slender rod drawn to a special section corresponding to that desired for the fastener elements. Fig. 12 shows a suitable wire having flattened sides 2! and preferably rounded edges 2I2. The material is fed through a swaging die in which twin units are formed, much as heretofore described, the die including a vertically -reciprocable swaging punch 2I6 cooperating with a stationary swaging die 2 I4. When dealing with this material, however, it is desirable to precede the swaging operation with an indenting operation in which indentations 2! between the heads of the elements are formed by a pair of oppositely horizontally movable punches 220. The use of specially drawn material reduces the amount of deformation or swaging needed to form the elements, but increases the cost of manufacture because the simple round wire stock is a standardized product purchasable at minimum cost.

The processes heretofore described may, if desired, be modified in several particulars. These modifications are illustrated in connection with Figs. 24 through 21 of the drawings. The most important change shown in these figures is the formation of a broad substantial recess 230 between the heads of the elements, and the formation of the heads of the elements on top instead of on bottom. This procedure necessitates cutting away a small section of metal between the heads when finally separating the elements of the twin unit, which results in a slight additional waste of metal. However, the use of a sharp edge on the swaging die is avoided, and.

consequently the die is strengthened and its useful life greatly prolonged. Another advantage is the ability to accurately shape the outer edge of the head. The intermediate operations, in-

cluding the splitting, spreading, and shaving operations, are similar to those heretofore described except that in each case the twin unit is preferably carried around the table by the dial plate with the heads uppermost instead of lowermost. The embossing operation may be omitted. The separating mechanism differs from that heretofore described and will be described with reference to Figs. 26 and 27. The table I44 is provided with a female die 240. The material between the heads is cut away by a separating punch 242 which is strengthened at its edges by heels 244. The heels lie outside the elements, as shown in Fig. 27, but the punch may be curved so as to produce a rounded outline 248 at the head of the element. This removal of material makes it possible to thin the outer edge or lip of the recess, and it is for this reason that the embossing operation is entirely unnecessary.

The table I44 is provided with spring pads 245 which rest beneath the jaw portions of the unit T. When punch 242 descends, the unit T is first forced downwardly with pads 246 and seated accurately on die 240. Continued movement of the punch cleanly cuts away the material between the heads and separates the fastener elements. Upon upward movement of the punch the elements are raised by spring pads 246 to the level of table I 44 and free of die 240. The next indexing movement of the dial readily shifts the now separated elements along the table to the discharge station.

Reverting now to Figs. 24 and 25, the main swaging operation in the die I4, I6 may be preceded by a preliminary swaging operation in a die 224, 226. The stationary dies I4 and 224 may be locked together as a single element, and the same applies to the movable swaging punches I6 and 226. Spring pads 30 and 32 are provided, as before. The object of the first swaging operation is to partially fiatten the round wire stock, as shown at 23I, and to form the partial indentation 232 between the elements. This preliminary swaging operation lessens the necessary flow of metal in the next swaging operation and avoids extreme distortion leading to bending of the wire. It obviously reduces the load on and consequently lengthens the life of the swaging dies. The changing form of the wire during the successive swaging operations is clearly evident from Fig. 25.

It is believed that the method of my invention as well as the construction and operation of suit able apparatus for practicing the same, and the many advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. The fastener elements are manufactured rapidly to accurate dimension at minimum cost, and are strengthened by the compression or swaging of the material. The elements are made with some but not excessive waste of material, and from simple slender rod stock of uniform section which may desirably be circular, in which case the cost of the raw material is reduced to a minimum. Even with flattened material the section is simple and such wire is more readily available and less costly than if given a complex irregular cross-section. The elements may be formed successively on the wire with the heads pointed all in one direction,

nary sideward indentation between the heads and the advantageof reducing the necessary extrusion of metal upwardly to form the head, for to some extent the head is formed by swaging metal downwardly around the head from an initial vertical dimension much greater than the, thickness of flattened stock.

In the preferred form of apparatus in which a section of material is cut away between the heads (Figs. 24-27), I find that the swaging tools are strengthened and made capable of indefinite wear, while the head may be given a rounded outline and a thin lip without requiring particular refinement in the swaging operation. This cutting away of waste material between the heads may be applied to the flattened stock of Figs. 12-14, in which case the preliminary sideward indenting operation may be eliminated.-

The apparatus is compact and relatively simple because a standard press may be employed and the die assembly inserted in the press as a unit.

It will be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in preferred forms, many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for manufacturing interlocking elements for. slide fasteners, said apparatus including means to longitudinally feed a strip of material no wider than the transverse width of the elements, means to sever embryo elements in end to end relation from said strip, and means to split the ends of the elements to form divergent aws.

2. An apparatus for manufacturing interlocking elements for slide fasteners, said apparatus including means to longitudinally feed a wire, a swaging die for preliminarily shaping the wire in the form of successive embryo elements, means to sever embryo elements from the wire, means to .split the ends of the elements to form divergent inarily shaping the wire in the form of successive elements, means to sever embryo elements from the wire, means to split the ends of the elements to form divergent jaws, and a shaving punch for removing a small amount of material from between the jaws and for shaping the same.

4. An apparatus for the manufacture of inter.- locking elements for slide fasteners including means to intermittently feed a wire, a swaging die for forming embryo elements, a cutting-off punch for severing embryo elements from the wire, and means for operating the swaging die and for operating the cutting-oil punch later than the swaging die in order to accommodate elongation of the material during swaging.

5. An apparatus for the manufacture of interlocking elements for slide fasteners including means to intermittently feed a wire having a cross-sectional area approximately equal to the transverse cross-sectional area of the elements, a swaging die for forming opposed heads and recesses on said wire and for longitudinally incising jaw portions therebetween, a cutting-off punch for severing embryo elements from the wire, and means for operating the swaging die and for operating the cutting-oi! punch later than the ewe!- ing die in order to accommodate elongation of the material during swaging.

' 6. An apparatus for the manufacture of interlocking elements for slide fasteners, each of said elements-having a head at one end and laws at the opposite end, said apparatus including means to feed a wire, a swaging die for forming pairs of opposed embryo elements arranged head to head, a cutting-off punch for severing said twin units from the wire, means to split the ends of the units to form jaws at the ends of the units, and means for separating the elements of each unit.

7. An apparatus for the manufacture of interlocking elements for slide fasteners, each of said elements having a head at one end and jaws at the opposite end, said apparatus including means to intermittently feed a continuous wire of crosssectional area substantially equal to the transverse cross-sectional area of the elements, a swaging die for forming symmetrical sections approximately equal to the length of two elements with heads at the center portion of said sections, a cutting-off punch for severing the said sections from the wire, means for oppositely splitting the ends of the section to form divergent jaws, means for shaving said jaws, and means for separating the elements of each section.

8. Apparatus for the manufacture of interlocking elements for slide fasteners, each of said elements having a head and recess at one end and jaws at the opposite end, said apparatus including means to intermittently feed a continuous wire of round cross-sectional area substantially equal to the transverse cross-sectional area of the elements, a first swaging die for generally flattening the round wire in sections approximately equal to the length of two elements, a secondswaging die for forming adjacent'heads and recesses at the center portion of said sections, a cutting-off punch for severing the said sections from the wire, means for receiving and moving said sections past successive stationsfor oppositely splitting the ends of the section to-form divergent jaws; for shaping said jaws; and for separatingthe elements of each section.

9. Apparatus for the manufacture of interlocking elements for slide fasteners, each of said elements having a head at one end and jaws at the opposite end, said apparatus including means to intermittently feed a wire, a swaging die for forming embryo elements in the wire, a cutting-off punch for severing elements from the wire in end to end relation, a stationary table surmounted by an intermittently rotatable dial plate, and means on said dial plate for receiving and moving the elements around the table through a series of stations for performing various finishing opera.- tions on the elements.

10. Apparatus for the manufacture of interlocking elements for slide fasteners, each of saidelements having a head at one end and jaws at the other, said apparatus including means to intermittently-feed a wire of cross-sectional area substantially equal to the transverse cross-sectional area of the elements, one or more swaging dies for forming units approximately equal to the length of two elements with adjacent heads at the center portion of said units, a cutting-off punch for severing the said twin units from the wire, intermittently rotatable means for'receiving said units and for moving the same through a series of stations for performing various finishing operations on the elements, the last of said stations including means'for separating the elements of each unit.

11. Apparatus for the manufacture ofinterlocking elements for slide fasteners, each of said elements having a head and recess at one end and laws at the opposite end, said apparatus including means to intermittently feed a continuous wire of round cross-sectional area substantially equal to the transverse cross-sectional area of the elements, a first swaging die for generally flattening the round wire in sections-approximately equal to the length of two elements, a second swaging die for forming adjacent heads and receases at the center portionof said sections, a cutting-off punch for severing the said sections from the wire, intermittently rotatable means for receiving said units or sections and for moving the same through a series of stations for performing various finishing operations on the elements, the 'last of said stations including means for separating the otherwise finished elements of each unit.

12. Apparatus for manufacturing interlocking elements for slide fasteners, said apparatus including a press having a stationary bed and a movable ,head, a die assembly mounted on said bed and including a punch plate secured to the head, feeding meansforintermittently feeding a wire through the die assembly, one or more punches on said punchvpla'te for preliminarily swaging the wire to form units each consisting of two embryo elements arranged head to head, a cutting-off punch for severing the twin units from the wire, intermittently rotatable means in said die assembly for'receiving the units, and a series of finishing punches operated by the punch plate for finishing the formation and final separation of the elements between movements of the rotatable means.

13. Apparatus-for manufacturing interlocking elements for slide fasteners, said apparatus including a press having a stationary bed, a movable head and a top shaft for reciprocating the same, a die assembly mounted on said' bedand including a punch plate secured to the'head, an auxiliary shaft geared to the top shaft for simultaneous rotation, feeding means operated by said auxiliary shaft for intermittently feeding a wire through the die assembly, one or more punches on said punch plate for preliminarily swaging the wire to form embryo elements, a cutting-off punch for severing elements from the wire, means on said auxiliary shaft for operating said cutting-off punch later than the swaging punches, intermittently rotatable means in said die assembly for receiving the elements, and a series of finishing punches operated by the punch plate for finishing the formation of the elements.

14. Apparatus for manufacturing interlocking elements for slide fasteners, said apparatus including a press having a stationary bed, a movable head and a top shaft for reciprocating said head,

a die assembly mounted on said bed and including a punch plate secured to the head, an auxiliary shaft forming a part of said die assembly and geared to the top shaft for simultaneous rotation, feeding means operated by said auxiliary shaft for intermittently feeding a wire through the die assembly, one or more punches on said punch plate for preliminarily swaging the wire to form units each consisting of two embryo elements arranged head to head, a cutting-off punch for severing the twin units from the wire, means on said auxiliary shaft for operating said cuttingofl! punch'later than the swaging punches, a dial plate in said die assembly for receiving the units, pawl and ratchet means driven by said auxiliary shaft for intermittently rotating and indexing the dial plate, and a, series of finishing punches operated by the punch plate for finishing the formation and final separation of the elements.

15. Apparatus for the manufacture of interlocking elements for slide fasteners, each of said elements having a head at one end and jaws at the other, said apparatus including means to intermittentlyfeed a wire, one or more swaging dies for forming units approximately equal to the length of two elements with adjacent heads at the center portion of said units, a cutting-off punch for severing the said twinunits from the wire, intermittently rotatable means for receiving said units andfor moving the same through a series of stations for performing various finishing operations on the elements, one of said stations including means for separating the elements elements for slide fasteners, said apparatusdfi cluding a press-having a stationary bed, a mov able head, and a'top shaft for reciprocating said head. a die assembly mounted on said bed and including a punch plate secured to the head. an auxiliary shaft geared to the top shaft for simultaneous rotation, feeding means operated by'said auxiliary shaft for intermittently feeding a wire through the die assembly, one or. more punches on said punch plate for preliminarily swaging the wire to form units each consisting of two embryo elements arranged head to head, a cutting-off punch for severing the twin units from the wire, means on said auxiliary shaft for operating said cutting-off punch later than the swaging punch, intermittently rotatable means in said die assembly for receiving the units, and a series of finishing punches operated by the punch plate for finishing the formation and final separation of the elements.

FREDERICK ULRICH. 

